Photo was taken yesterday at Tooreenbawn, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

A robin keeps a watchful eye as snow began to fall thick and heavy yesterday. It was the south west of Ireland that got a big snowfall, with as as much as 5-8cm of snow yesterday.

Thought on Monday – January – 11/01/2010

There is a fable told about a robin watching snow fall in a forest. It watched as the flakes of snow tumbled down, landing on a branch before it. It counted each flake all the way up to 4500, 4501, 4502, 4503, 4504 and then on 4505 the little branch snapped with the weight of the snow. It marvelled at the strength, power and difference that one tiny flake could make. It thought about the 4504 flakes that fell before it, all making a difference but yet one had the biggest effect of all.

The snow that fell yesterday was greeted with joy by children and young people. It was their first experience of significant snow to fall in their lifetime. We are told each flake of snow is different in shape and size. Each one is a little miracle in itself. Snow has the ability to transform the landscape and turn even the bleakest and darkest spots into great beauty. Spiritually snow reminds us that we too are precious and unique. We may think we don’t make a difference. But like the tiny flake of snow breaking a branch, we too can leave a mark, imprint and bring a significant difference to every day that is God’s gift to us.